Author Archives: woodworksbyjohn

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About woodworksbyjohn

I'm a retired woodshop teacher. I build one of a kind furniture pieces and custom picture frames. You can see some of my currently available work, boxes, carvings through my Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WoodworksbyJohn?ref=si_shop Contact me about your project -- always up for the challenge of unique work.

Custom Cat Furniture

Posted on November 30, 2019 by woodworksbyjohn

One of the many aspects of woodwork I enjoy is the variety of work you’re able to do with so many different types of materials.  The last project was made from Baltic Birch and this project is a continuation of … Continue reading →

Posted in custom furniture, Design Process | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

SawStop One vs. Finger Three — stitches that is!

Posted on November 14, 2019 by woodworksbyjohn

I must admit that when the SawStop technology first came out I wasn’t  really in favor of it.  The first I heard about it was someone invented a good idea for saw safety but was trying to get rich from … Continue reading →

Posted in Artist Furniture, custom furniture, SawStop Sliding Table | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

New Frame Commission and Drawing Desk Follow-Up

Posted on October 25, 2019 by woodworksbyjohn

  Before I begin to talk about the frame commission allow me to share the final results of the drawing desk.  If you missed that post here is a LINK to it which includes a YouTube video showing how it … Continue reading →

Posted in Artist Furniture, custom furniture, custom profile, Picture Frames | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Drawing Desk Complete

Posted on October 7, 2019 by woodworksbyjohn

In the last blog the dovetails had been cut and fit for the bottom section of the custom drawing desk.  If you missed it, here’s a LINK to that one and before I talk about the remaining work, let me … Continue reading →

Posted in Artist Furniture, custom furniture, Hand Cut Dovetails, YouTubeVideo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Modeling Job = New Commission

Posted on October 1, 2019 by woodworksbyjohn

Many of you know that I occasionally work as a portrait or costumed model since moving to the Phoenix area.  For me, it’s a great experience — I get out of the solitary life in my shop, meet different artists … Continue reading →

Posted in Artist Furniture, Artist Model, custom furniture, Design Process, Hand Cut Dovetails, Hand Tool Woodworking, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Twisted Feather Carve — Sharing the Process

Posted on August 27, 2019 by woodworksbyjohn

When I first began making picture frames it was incredibly difficult to find information about the finer points of how to go about it.  Most literature was pretty old and when talking with other framers I’d get the feeling that … Continue reading →

Posted in Carving, custom profile, custom profile, Design Process, Picture Frames, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Frame #168: Final Work

Posted on August 21, 2019 by woodworksbyjohn

If you’ve been following the consruction of this Tabernacle style frame you’ll remember that the last BLOG dealt with how the roof was constructed.  That was an interesting challenge that I can now say I’ve conquered; at least for this … Continue reading →

Posted in custom profile, Gilding, Picture Frames, Tabernacle, tabernacle picture frame | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Frame #168 Trim and Roof

Posted on August 14, 2019 by woodworksbyjohn

In the last blog the main part of the frame was constructed along with the base for the pilasters.  The next step is to apply the embossed molding along the bottom and build the roof.  Applying the molding at the … Continue reading →

Posted in custom profile, Gilding, Hand Tool Woodworking, Hybrid Woodworking, Picture Frames, Tabernacle, tabernacle picture frame | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Frame #168: Tabernacle Style

Posted on August 10, 2019 by woodworksbyjohn

This will be the third Tabernacle style frame I’ve been commissioned to make and I truly love the challenge of them.  I know there’s a lot of historical background for this style but at this point, I’m making them based … Continue reading →

Posted in Design Process, Hand Tool Woodworking, Hybrid Woodworking, Mortise and Tenon Joint, Picture Frames, plunge router, Tabernacle | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Making Custom Frames Summarized

Posted on July 25, 2019 by woodworksbyjohn

It’s always an honor to know that there are quite a number of you that follow my blog, that makes me feel good about what I’m doing.  I enjoy sharing what I do and learn — suppose that’s a carry … Continue reading →

Posted in custom profile, Design Process, Hand Planes, Hand Tool Woodworking, Hybrid Woodworking, Picture Frames | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment